What it means to me.

I believe teachers can have a lasting affect for both good and bad. It was a social studies teacher that inspired me to start teaching myself German, a subject that wasn't even hers. I value culture and believe that teachers have a great opportunity to promote cultural awareness and acceptance. Our world is becoming more globalized and I think it is a little egocentric to just let everyone learn anything. When one learns a foreign language only than can that learner really jump into the culture of said language. I value the similarities and differences between countries and I hope that my students don't stop with learning German but continue on to value other cultures. 

I value creativity in learning that lessons need to change otherwise they become stagnant and boring. I believe that change should constantly take place in the classroom and that it is ok to stray from a strict lesson plan if the students show a particular interest in a subject. I value curiosity and the desire to learn and the ability to promote learning between students including giving the students adequate time to formulate questions and helping them discover the resources to finding answers to their questions. I believe all students have the ability to learn and succeed and the best way is to help my students come to value my subject by being about to see how my subject can affect their lives. I believe many students will struggle everyday to even make it to school and I find the time and the effort that each student puts into coming everyday valuable. I believe some students may not come or may not want to be there but I believe helping them understand how their education can affect their lives. I believe it is important for a teacher to be prepared and that if a teacher is prepared they will be better equipped to make changes should changes need to be made. I believe that communication between teachers and students should be fluid and that it is OK to spend more time on an area if the students are struggling with it. I also value choices and believe students should when appropriate be able to have some sway in how the class is run.